Brian Wildermuth

The Ohio Sunshine Laws are laws that mean well, but are designed with so many gotcha factors that people have to feel really pissed before they jump through the hoops. Like the first one: Get a lawyer. Pay the lawyer. Then filing fee ($330.50), then show up in court. Watch the government agencies who broke the law, show up in court, unprepared, with 4 lawyers to tell the judge you are wrong, and this whole thing is just David being an idiot (while their meters are running full tilt.).

Then we have to argue about what laws apply, even though Judge Richard Skelton made that very clear right off the bat. His reading of my brief and the law in question, ORC 121.22 said to him that Rule 65- the procedural rule used for asking for a Temporary Restraining Order, said that since the Sunshine Law had remedies (what he’s supposed to do to punish the lawbreaker) there was no need to bring in Rule 65, which is a federal law. In other words, the specific rules of the State law apply because the the general rule (rule 65) is controlled by the specific one. Did I lose you? I hope not.

This wasn’t an actual trial, so I wasn’t allowed to introduce evidence. All I could do was to turn to my filing to ask for relief.

Skelton stated a few things that made a lot of sense to me (but apparently, Brian Wildermuth, attorney for the District, wants to pick a fight with a judge known for being feisty): one, that laws are generally in place to “do the right thing.” Two- that while unable to guide me, he’s working toward transparency, and understands that this law in particular is written in mostly plain terms- in order to make sure the people keep their elected officials in line.

Wildermuth tried to say that I’d been allowed to attend and video meetings and that they’d comply in the future, and that this one “bus trip” is over, and therefore there was no need for my case. Totally denying the fact that I was shut out of the bus trip- and that what happened in their closed rolling yellow conference room was a meeting held in secret, as was the tour of Valerie Elementary. They also claimed that they cut short the trip, after hearing from the judge that this may be a violation.

If you watched the videos from facebook live- or my edited video of the event, you’ll know that yours and mine idea of cutting off a bus tour would mean, stop doing what you are doing and return home. A go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 moment if there ever was one. The bus continued on from Valerie, to Meadowdale Elementary and Meadowdale HS and then to Wogamen middle school and then back to DPS.

Let’s also be clear, that the government bodies could send 4 lawyers on your tax dime to deal with my complaint, yet, none were prepared to answer the case.

Let’s also be clear, that the judge suggested to the lawyers yesterday to hold off on the tour, and that Dayton City Officials were told NOT to enter- hence my conversation with Jeff Mims outside Valerie on camera about my mom. Let’s also be clear, that Mohamed Al-Hamdani, the mastermind behind this task force, actually had the bus pull over between DPS HQ and Valerie so he could get off the bus. Some of the people knew better, but did it anyway.

My arguments were basic: That by participating in a single secret meeting, the committee has poisoned any decision that the schools may make on closing any buildings. School Board Members William Harris, Robert Walker and Mohamed Al-Hamdani would and should have to recuse themselves. Dr. Lolli, Burton, Treasurer Abraha, also have now poisoned themselves. Any closure could be challenged in court by the community saying deliberations were held in private- thereby, just like inadmissible criminal evidence, forcing whatever decision they make to be illegal.

The fact that Lolli keeps saying she has a right to do these things in public is an embarrassment. It’s really just time to do with her, what the board did with the woman who hired her- part ways. But, without the payoff. She can serve as a principal, or something until the end of the year, while we hire someone who can abide by the sunshine laws and not require a bunch of people picked illegally to advise them on what to do.

The sad thing about all this, is the lawyers want to continue with their charade of denial. This will be costly for the district. I look forward to depositions, and a trial, because, much like the Dr. Markay Winston EEOC investigation which ended up bringing the end to Rhonda Corr, I think I know the right questions to ask people under oath that will show that this district leadership, has acting illegally (I was chastised for calling it criminal, because there is a difference to lawyers- while the rest of us think that when you break the law, you are a criminal, they don’t think that way.)

Watch the video, read the briefs, examine how many times in the tour video that they said NO, YOU can’t come in. I believe everyone of those, times the number of people who should have known better equals $500 ea instance… but, we’ll see.

And remember while you’re on Youtube to subscribe to my channel. I need 1000 subscribers to monetize it. Thank you.

For the record, what do you call four lawyers installing a light bulb? More billable hours, and no one that actually knows how to turn on a light.